Application number:                19/P2747        

Ward:                                      Figges Marsh

Recommendation: Grant permission subject to Section 106 obligation or any other enabling agreement, and relevant conditions.

RESOLVED that application number 19/P2747 be GRANTED permission subject to Section 106 obligation or any other enabling agreement, and

relevant conditions.

Proposal: Demolition of existing buildings and erection of a new four storey mixed use building comprising commercial units at the ground floor level (use classes a1, a2, a3, a5, b1 or d1) and 20 x selfcontained flats above (use class c3); with associated landscaping and bin and cycle store.

The Committee noted the report and presentation of the Planning officer, and the modifications contained in the supplementary agenda.

Two parties had registered to speak in objection to the proposal, and raised a number of points, noting that the proposed four storey block of flats would be taller and out of keeping with other buildings in the area, in particular negatively impacting the village feel of Mitcham. Both registered parties also noted that the Council’s Urban Design Officer’s report and the Design Review Panel were also critical of the design, noting its failure to take into account the surrounding and overdevelopment.

At the invitation of the Chair, the applicant’s representative also addressed the Committee, noting that the site had been split into four distinct parts to reflect the grain of the town. The applicant also noted that the points raised by the registered objectors related to previous versions of the application, and that this had been considered by the Design Review Panel in 2018. Some of the benefits of the scheme included 20 double aspect good quality homes in the centre of Mitcham, and that it was environmentally sustainable with renewable energy.

Further to queries from the Committee, the planning officer confirmed the following:

·         Of the 77 residents who lived nearby, three had sent letters of support for the application

·         The possibility of converting unused commercial units to residential could be mitigated by conditions.

During the debate, members expressed both support for the design and concern about the impact on Mitcham’s village feel.

Having considered the application, the Committee:

RESOLVED that application number 19/P2747 be GRANTED permission subject to Section 106 obligation or any other enabling agreement, and

relevant conditions.